Abduction: ‘I spent 11 hours in the wilderness’, Melaye says after regaining freedom

Senator Dino Melaye, who was allegedly abducted by unknown gunmen on Thursday, has regained freedom and returned from what he referred to as “the wilderness”.

The Kogi West Senator took to his official Twitter handle to make known his freedom on Friday morning.

Recall that Senator Ben Bruce of Bayelsa East escalated the alleged abduction of the Kogi Senator on his Twitter page on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police had said they never received any complaint or report in any of its Police Stations or Divisions throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the alleged abduction.

“I thank God once again for escaping another dangerous attack. I also thank Nigerians for their prayers and show of Love. Spent 11 hours in the wilderness traumatized but God preserved me. God is the best and in whom ONLY I trust. They will continue to try. WE SHALL OVERCOME,” Melaye tweeted shortly after his release.

Melaye was on Wednesday arraigned before an FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide. He was billed to be arraigned in another court on Thursday before the news of his alleged abduction hit the airwaves.

“I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated,” Bruce tweeted.

The alleged abduction forestalled his arraignment on Thursday.

The Police, in a statement by Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood, said the Force Headquarters only read of the news of Mr Melaye in the media, but has no unique details about the development.

“The Nigeria Police Force have not received any complaint or report in any of its Police Stations or Divisions throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or any other State of the Federation of the kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye from any of his family member, friend, associate or staff to indicate that the Senator has been kidnapped.

“The attention of the police was drawn to the report of the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye in some sections of the media,” Mr Moshood, an acting deputy police commissioner, said.

The spokesperson, however, said investigation would be conducted into the matter, urging anyone with actionable information to pass such to authorities.

The police have “commenced investigation into the purported kidnap of Senator Dino Melaye, and wish (sic) to implore any of his family members, relatives or friends who witnessed the kidnap or have information about the purported kidnap of the senator to report the incident at the nearest police station to assist the police in the investigation,” Mr Moshood said.

The statement contradicted what Gideon Ayodele, a spokesperson for Mr Melaye, had earlier issued to newsmen.

The aide said the police in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, were informed about the alleged kidnap on Thursday morning.